I cannot even believe how time flies these days! It seems like just the other day was August and we were just getting home from our holiday in the states. Since then I've had a birthday, some friends came from the states to visit us here in the UK, and I've made three subscription boxes!!! The October box was super cute and had a black, gold and purple theme for Halloween. There were some super cute things in this box - Im kind of mad I didn't make extras for myself! Here are all the details and how you can use each item!

I want to start off by saying that the cover does not do this book justice. It gives the impression of a bland and fluffy read when in reality this is a heartbreaking story, with subject matter that may be difficult for a lot of readers. Also, you cannot go into this book thinking it will be the best book ever because it is not. However this book makes you FEEL. It makes you THINK. It is different than anything I usually read and I really enjoyed it.

It's been so many weeks since I've updated this and thats downright disgraceful. I've been planning, collaborating and scheming so there's loads of amazing things in the works for this blog! Don't give up on us yet!

I'm trying blogging from my phone again, since they've updated the app and I've been working on my iPhone keyboard skills. (I seem to misspell more words than a first grader on this thing. Idk if it's because my iPhone 6 keyboard is bigger than the iPhone 5c, but I'm always hitting the wrong keys. Plus I have baby hands.)

Six months ago when I moved to England I was eating way more veggies, because healthy wife healthy life? Jk. The family I worked for (shout out to Rose and E!!) was vegetarian and I just got used to eating more vegetables. It's good for you. And they actually taste good. Promise.

Because I was eating more vegetables I thought I could continue that here in England, and did pretty well for a while. My MIL bought be a spiralizer to help me on my way and I promptly put it in the other room and never touched it again. FAIL.

Today I took that sucker out and decided to make some sweet potato fries. The perfect mix of 'I want to eat more veg and be heathy' and 'by I mean I want to eat French fries'.

This is the one I got, and apparently I got one of the good ones! Thanks Carol!!!

Let me tell you, after spiralizing ONE sweet potato I was screaming WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! I told David that I literally wanted to turn all the veg into spirals. They looked so cool.

The true test, though, would be if they tasted good. Which meant I had to cook them somehow. Thank god it was super easy which means we are having these way more often!

I mean, look at them. They're glorious!!

Alright. Here's the recipe I used-if you can even call it that.

I tossed the sweet potato 'strings' in alittle bit of olive oil, then spread them out in a very thin layer on a cookie sheet. I used two cookie sheets for one medium sweet potato. Then I grated some sea salt on top and popped them in the oven at 400 degrees Farenheit for 15 mins. Then I tried my best to turn the fries over and then switched the trays (bottom on top and top on bottom) and put them in for another 15 minutes.

They came out like this! Not super crispy, but so delicious!!! I absolutely love sweet potato fries so I'm not really that picky so it didn't matter to me that they weren't super crisp.

However, I cannot wait to spiralizer more veggies! Later this week (maybe tomorrow, I can't remember the menu this week) I am making zucchini lasagna (instead of pasta noodles I'm using zucchini noodles). I accept that this is a huge risk, since I absolutely LOVE pasta, but I'm willing to give it a try at least once.

That's all for me! I have at least four new posts sitting in my 'drafts' section so stay tuned for more posts-and hopefully more frequent ones!!

That moment when you are so disappointed with yourself because you have not done an I heart Monday post since December 28th.

2015.

Whilst I do realise that this is not a 'huge' blog, I do like to hold myself accountable. It's important to ME that I acknowledge the things I love, and share them. You never know what other people are going through. Maybe they need a cheering up this week. Maybe they're just looking for a new bomb ass lipstick. Don't worry, I've got both!

First things first, I'm an aunt now! Quinn Grace McNidder was born one week ago today at 12:59. 8 lbs 3 oz and 55 cm long. Here she is just two days old! Can't wait for more baby snuggles!

MY ITEMS ARE BEING SOLD IN A SHOP!

Togademus Toys and Crafts in Kings Heath has loads of lovely toys, books, and activities for kids of all ages. They also have a display wall that local makers can rent out to display their goods. My items are now in the shop! I've got large folder bags, medium ones, coin purses and embroideries at the moment. I will add some paper garlands and possibly some other new products in the next couple weeks! I am so excited! Go check it out and buy a bag or two!

So, I know I posted this photo on Facebook, but omg these lipsticks are AH-MAY-ZING. They are L'oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lip Gloss. It goes on like a gloss and then dries matte. It doesn't make any sense but it will when you put it on, believe me. First is the colour. Put it on your lips and let it dry. It only takes a minute or two. Then use the other end (it's like a moisturiser for your lips) to seal it.

I bought the brownish one and then put it on when I got home from shopping (around 4:00pm), had dinner, had some drinks, and went to bed. I don't wear lipstick very often so didn't even think of taking it off. Plus regular lipsticks just wear off after you say a couple words anyways, so thought it for sure would've worn off. When I woke up the next morning, MY LIPSTICK WAS STILL ON. Not like 'I can see you had some on at some point but now it looks like crap' but more like 'why did you apply lipstick before breakfast?'-IT WAS THAT GOOD.

I went back and bought three more colours, and my friend bought two as well (they are on sale at Boots!). Samples can be seen on my hand below (with the flash on) and I am loving every colour I bought!

There are some new items I am toying with putting in the etsy shop. I found this amazing bamboo towelling fabric. It's meant to be hypoallergenic, great for sensitive skin, and it is so so so soft. I made some samples to test as face wash cloths, make up wipes and even reusable baby wipes! I have high hopes for this amazing fabric and cannot wait to make more things with it! If you want to be a tester, let me know and I'll send some of my products to you!

The other item I am going to try is paper garland/bunting. I am loving all the different colour combinations and uses for this! They can be hung like bunting for baby showers, bridal showers, or parties and can also be used for table decorations! i can't wait to show you more photos!!!

I want to end this on a sappy note, because one of my friends shared this link today on Facebook and it really touched me.

It was an article that was titled 'Why Women Need Their Girlfriends'. Now, I already know that I need my girlfriends, so I was a little hesitant in thinking that by reading this it would be a big 'a-hah' moment for me.

What struck me about this article is what was said at the end of a paragraph in the very beginning of the article.

"...That afternoon, I saw two of them in the elevator. When I commented on how much fun they seemed to have, they smiled and nodded. One replied, "Oh, we do have fun. We've kept this beach trip going for 20 years and have been through everything -- divorce, death, cancer, unemployment. Don't ever lose touch with your girlfriends, sweetheart. The older you get, the more you'll need them."

I honestly did not think of it like this until I read this article. Yes I have always preached about how much I love my friends and how grateful I am that I have people in my life that care about me. However, I am not sure that I ever thought that the older I got, the MORE I would need my girlfriends. It makes perfect sense though. As you grow up, you do experience more, thus possibly needing your girlfriends more. Divorce, death, cancer, unemployment. The sad part is, I've experienced all of these things already, either myself personally or through my friends, and I've leaned on my friends (or been there for my friends) through all of it.

I know someone who goes on an annual girls trip, and when she told me that they have been going for years and years I was in awe. How did they coordinate it? How was everyone free at the same time? That takes so much effort and commitment.

​Effort and commitment. That's what it really boils down to, doesn't it? You have to want to do it. When you don't live close and aren't able to get together on the regular, it's so easy to forget about some people who used to be close to you. It takes effort to talk to each other through Facebook messenger or whatsapp or FaceTime regularly (or at least regularly enough to still be considered in each others lives). It's hard. But it's worth it. It's so worth it.

I hope my friends and I are like this. I hope we get together more often and am so thankful for the times we do talk. I always look forward to the times we get to spend together and cannot wait to see you all again.

I honestly feel I could write for ages about this, but will leave it at that! Friends, past or present, I love you. Let's talk all the time.

There is so much going on these days, I can't seem to find the time to post! However, I have loads that I want to write about, and lots of fun things planned for the coming weeks! (...new items for sale, cookie recipes, house tour...)

So I thought I would do a little update whist we are organising upcoming posts, collecting our current faves for I heart Monday, and really just sorting our lives out.

January was so busy! I packed up all our stuff and David and I (and Jessie too!) moved into our first house together!!! So exciting but also so tiring. At the moment, most everything is unpacked and where it should be, but there is the occasional stray 'thing' that doesn't have a home yet. That, along with the lightbulbs that have gone out, sorting the heating system (that you can program to come on/off up to six times a day!!), exploring the area, and getting used to the house, it's been busy!

Here's a little sneak peek of the house so far! I'm fully intending to do a house tour as soon as I get everything cleaned and put in its place. I promise it won't be *that* long. I hope.

​My poor Jessie girl got spayed this past Friday, and thankfully she's doing well! Today she has been full of energy and I'm hoping that she calms down a bit so she doesn't rip her stitches open! She's definitely going stir crazy. Poor girl!!! Here's a couple photos of her looking miserable and sleeping. Thank goodness she's been taking long naps.

If you haven't noticed, for the past few months we've been having certain 'items of the month' which are on sale for the entire month. January was hand painted cards, and today is the last day to get them 50% off!!

February's sale is embroidery hoops! I tried back in December to have hoops on sale, but I really didn't have many made. My bad!

Now I have loads ready and am offering 30% off on all hoops! ANY embroidery hoop! They can be custom made with your favourite quotes, an initial, names, theme, colour scheme...basically, I can make anything you think of. You can use coupon code HOOP30 in the etsy shoppe, or send me a message and let me know what you'd like!

They're great as we wedding present, house warming gift, baby shower gift, or just wall decor.

At the moment we have an Instagram giveaway (if you haven't entered- you have until Monday at 5 o'clock EST! Be sure to share with your friends!!) and a Facebook giveaway when we get to 500 likes!! Head on over to Instagram and get in on that GIVEAWAY! AND hit up Facebook and like/share our page so we can do another giveaway soon!

That's it for the January update. We've got a lot going on, but I promise to make more time for you!

This lovely floral embroidery hoop, complete with free customisation (names/quotes/initial/date/whatever!) is up for grabs on Instagram!!! All you need to do is head on over to INSTAGRAM and:

•double tap the photo ❤️•tag a friend (or two or seven!) on my original post•repost with the hashtag #thebarmyfoxgiveaway

On Monday, February 1st I will randomly choose a winner, check they've done all three things and then it's going to a new home!! Can't wait to see who this little beauty goes to!!!

****This is an Instagram giveaway, although I love your likes and shares on Facebook, I have a different giveaway planned for Facebook!!! So if you don't follow us on Instagram already, head on over, follow, like, tag, and repost for your chance to WIN! 💕****